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Astros parlay bad call, Pence homer into extra-inning win

Jul 4, 2007 - 5:30 AM HOUSTON (Ticker) -- The Houston Astros got a break and took advantage of it.

After a controversial call allowed the Astros to tie the game in the ninth inning, rookie Hunter Pence hit the first pitch of the 13th over the left field wall to give the Astros a 4-3 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies on Tuesday.

Matt Albers (2-3), who struck out pinch hitter Jamie Moyer with the bases loaded and retired Jimmy Rollins on a groundout, pitched a scoreless 13th in his first outing since being recalled from the minor leagues.

Jose Mesa (0-1) yielded the blast to Pence to suffer the defeat. It was Houston's third walk-off homer in six days. Carlos Lee and Mark Loretta provided game-winning blasts against Colorado reliever Brian Fuentes.

"I was up there just trying to see a pretty good fastball and put a good swing on it," Pence said. "Right now my swing feels pretty good, but I wouldn't say that I am necessarily locked in. Everyone is pitching me pretty tight and I still have to make some adjustments.

"They are pitching me totally different than the Rockies were over the weekend."

Houston stranded five runners over the 10th and 11th innings, but would not have reached extra innings if not for a blown call in the ninth.

In the fateful frame, Houston placed runners on first and third against Antonio Alfonseca on one-out singles by Craig Biggio and Pence. Lance Berkman walked to load the bases for Carlos Lee, who grounded to Jimmy Rollins. The shortstop fielded the slow roller and started to turn what appeared to be a game-ending double play, but first base umpire Lance Barksdale called Lee safe at first.

That sparked Philadelphia manager Charlie Manuel to charge the umpire to argue vehemently. Replays showed that Lee was indeed out, which would have given Philadelphia the victory.

"We turned the double play and the game was over," Manuel said. "Biggio broke his bat and got a hit and (Pence) got jammed and got a hit. That's all part of the game too. Alfonseca pitched Lee really good. He pitched really good.

"He got the ground ball and we executed. He missed the call. On our video, it shows him missing the call. I told him, but that doesn't make things right."

Alfonseca said very little about the call.

"The replay said everything," Alfonseca said. "I'm not saying anything."

The blown call took Houston starter Roy Oswalt off the hook. The righthander allowed four runs and 10 hits in seven innings. He yielded a seventh-inning RBI double to Houston-area native Michael Bourn on a ball that right fielder Luke Scott appeared to misplay, that gave the Phillies a 4-3 lead.

Adam Eaton gave up three runs and four hits in six innings and was in line for his eighth win before the controversial call.

Wes Helms went 3-for-4 at the plate with two doubles and one RBI and right fielder Shane Victorino threw out a potential run at the plate in the seventh.

Collectively, the Houston bullpen took a backseat to Pence's heroics, but six pitchers kept the Phillies off the board for the final six innings and didn't allow a walk until Albers gave Carlos Ruiz an intentional pass in the 13th.

"Our bullpen got the job done tonight and I don't know what else you can ask for," said Astros manager Phil Garner. "Right now things are going our way, but right now we are making some things happen for ourselves.

"Tonight, it started with the bullpen."

Albers picked up his first win in relief in just his fourth career relief appearance. It was his first win since pitching into the eighth inning at St. Louis on May 5.

"It was nice to get out of that little hole with runners on first and third with no outs," Albers said. "Late in the game, you don't want to give up any runs, especially in extra innings. Right there you just want to take deep breath, relax and make the pitches you need to make to get out of it."